Acoustic mixers

Abstract

A processing vessel ( 1 ) provided with a material inlet ( 2, 3, 4, 5 ) and a processed material outlet ( 25 ) wherein the material flows continuously through the vessel which is split into a series of zones ( 6, 7, 8 ) through which the material passes wherein the zones are shielded from each other by controlling the rate at which the material flows and an increasing level of vacuum is applied inconsecutive zones and the system is provided with acoustic energy which imparts energy to the process material by virtue of the contact between the zone dividers and the process material and processing material in such a vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for processing materials wherein materials are fed to and pass through a process vessel divided into a series of zones by dividers;
 wherein the dividers include one or more holes for the passage of the materials through the vessel;   wherein each zone in the series of zones includes a shield that allows for differential pressure to be applied to the each zone;   wherein the shield includes sufficient process materials covering the one or more holes, whilst also allowing for passage of the process materials through the one or more holes during processing, in order to form a hermetic seal or an intermittent hermetic seal; and   wherein progressively increasing vacuum is applied to consecutive zones in the series of zones in the process vessel; and   wherein acoustic energy is applied to the process vessel.   
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the process vessel is vertical, and the processing materials flow through the vessel under gravity and vacuum. 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 1  comprising injecting at least one process material of the process materials from multiple spray nozzles, a plurality of ports coupled to the process vessel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein at least one zone includes at least one plate which directs at least one process material of the process materials onto the dividers. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the temperature of the process material is controlled by controlling the temperature of the dividers, any plates, or a combination thereof that may be employed. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the acoustic energy is supplied in a range of between 30 Hz to 1 KHz. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 1  comprising the preparation of polymer formulations such as polymer composites, adhesives, coatings, and energetic materials. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 1  comprising production of energetic materials or composite propellants by dispersion of an active material, such as an oxidiser, within a polymeric binder, optionally in the presence of a plasticiser or resin. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the quality of the processed material is monitored by quality control means.